Speaking Out Briefing No. 4: Public Service Delivery

Public policy debates in recent years have been dominated by the contribution that the voluntary and community sector can make to public service reform. However, there is some evidence to suggest that this is happening only in certain service areas and for particular organisations. Research into the children’s service market for the then Department for Education and Skills found that across 19 core children’s service areas, child care was the only area where voluntary and community organisations offered more provision than the statutory sector.

This briefing:

• outlines key policy proposals to support the sector in delivering public services, including the third sector review and investment in sector infrastructure;

• summarises relevant legislation;

• details key research findings around the barriers to the children’s voluntary and community sector taking on a greater role in the children’s service market; and

• considers where the opportunities are for the sector to take in public service contracts in a range of delivery areas including extended schools and parenting support.

To download the full briefing: Speaking Out Briefing No. 4: Public Service Delivery (PDF)
Published September 2007

To request hard copies of this or any other Speaking Out briefing paper, please contact us on 020 7278 1041 or email policy@ncvys.org.uk.